WEEKEND PIC - Jan 16-18, 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

1. JUNO (2007 drama with Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman and Allison Janney) Rated * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): It is two years too late but this movie, written by ex-stripper Diablo Cody is still a worthwhile comedy about teenage pregnancy. Charming acting by Ellen Page. (Check the Review in my February 2008 blog).

2. IP MAN (Cantonese kungfu drama with Donnie Yen, ) Rated * * * (3 stars): This biopic on the grandmaster of Wing Chun kungfu and the tutor of the legendary Bruce Lee is nicely balanced with great martial arts action and an engaging narrative.

3. BEDTIME STORIES (fantasy comedy with Adam Sandler, Guy Pearce, Keri Russell, Lucy Lawless and Courteney Cox) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Sandler plays a handyman who finds his bedtime stories come to life. With a plot like that, it is slanted towards kiddie entertainment. (Reviewed below)

4. AUSTRALIA (romantic adventure with Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters and David Wenham) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It is not the epic love story to move you but it has enough substance to keep you interested. Good show by Kidman, Jackman and young Brandon Walters. (Reviewed below)

5. THEY WAIT (horror thriller with Jamie King, Terry Chen, Colin Foo and Cheng Pei-pei) Rating * * 1/2 (out of 4): An East-meets-West Asian horror set during the Hungry Ghost Festival. There are some scary moments but the movie is too much of a muddle to be engaging.

6. [REC] (suspense thriller in Spanish with Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Carlos Lasarte, Carlos Vicente and David Vert) Rated: * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This is the original 2007 movie that inspired 'Quarantine', its Hollywood remake. Yes, its is as claustrophobic and as nausea-inducing as its remake. (Reviewed below)

7. LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK (crime thriller with Sammi Cheng, Eason Chan, Michelle Ye, Chapman To and Kate Tsui) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): The big deal is that Sammi is back after a hiatus of three years. However, this flick won't put her at the top of the pop star pile any time soon. (Reviewed below)

8. OUTLANDER (fantasy adventure with Jack Huston, James Caviezel, Ron Perlman and Sophia Myles) Rating * * (2 stars): An outlandish fantasy, set in the Viking era, that incorporates dragons and alien predators. It will make you wonder at the ridiculous lengths film-makers will go to make cinema fodder.